The Scourge

On a Year in Training (Part II)

Yeah, training was going okay. Also, he and Frank were doing just fine.

-October, 1996 (16 Years Old)-

- Grounds of Malfoy Manor -

Severus stood by Harry as they looked at the bonfire roaring in the back portion of the Malfoy properties. Death Eaters, family members, and even Frank, surrounded the fire, but all were shrouded in dark cloaks that hid their faces from the others.

They were there to celebrate the end of harvest season and the beginning of winter. Severus said it was the time of Samhain. There would be a feast with those who knew Harry and Frank were living at the manor later, however this first gathering brought all of Tom’s followers together no matter what their ranking.

There was more power in numbers, Severus informed Harry. Mother Magic blesses those who gather together and honor her. Death accepts sacrifices more readily when more congregate and gift him with the respect and reverence he is due. If he accepts the sacrifice, he will allow those congregated to visit with the souls of the lost and crossed over.

“I’m not sure what we’re supposed to be doing here, Severus. I get that this is a Halloween celebration, but it’s way weirder than any that I’ve ever seen. There’s even a fake ritual sacrifice over there,” Harry pointed out a figure made of straw being burnt over the bonfire.

Severus looked around at the group of Death Eaters present, each communing in their own way with Mother Magic and Death. All of them trying to reach someone who was lost to the physical world.

“It is Samhain, Harry, not Halloween. Tonight, the boundary between this world and the otherworld is thinned. This means the lost souls can more easily come into our world. It is the one time of year when we are able to talk with those who have passed over the veil. The one time we can ensure that they are happy and at peace,” Severus told Harry quietly.

“Are you going to try to talk to my birth mom?” Harry asked tentatively.

“Always.”

Later that night, after the feast was done and Frank and he had retired to their rooms, Harry rifled through the items that Frank had brought back for him from the states. He grabbed the black journals and the pin, then slowly made his way down the halls of the manor to the room that Severus was staying that evening.

He knocked on the door and a quiet voice beckoned him inside.

Handing Severus the items, Harry ducked his head in embarrassment. “I think that you should be the one to have these. I mean, she meant more to you than anyone. I can tell. I can’t imagine if I lost Frank, and I feel like that’s probably what you might be going through, or somethin’.”

Severus reverently took the books from Harry’s outstretched hand, drawing his fingers down one of the front covers slowly, then thumbing through the first few pages. He sucked in a quick breath as he read the words Harry’s mother had written so many years ago. In his other hand, he fiddled with the small pin in the shape of a lily.

Looking up at Harry from the books, a sheen of tears formed in Severus’ dark eyes. “Thank you, young Harry," his voice rasped emotionally. "Thank you. I will treasure them for the rest of my days.”

Harry scratched the back of his neck and toed the carpet with one of his combat boots. He averted his eyes and mumbled, “Yep, no problem. Uh, I’ll just be going back to my room now. Just, um, enjoy the books, or whatever.”